Cloudy2Clear Windows
– Service With A Smile!
It’s been a crazy
few months for
Cloudy2Clear Windows.
The company which
specialises in repairing
windows which are
steamed up, broken or
damaged by replacing
the panes – not the
frames has grown
rapidly as homeowners
take advantage of their
services.
Managing Director
John Kendall feels that
it’s all about service.
‘Our product is simple.
If your double glazing is
misted up we can replace
the glass at a fraction
of the cost of a new
window, in any type of
frame, and with a new
5 year guarantee. But
it’s not just about saving
people money, although

that obviously helps.
Many tradespeople have
struggled since last year
and I honestly feel that
during the good times a
minority perhaps didn’t
focus on customer care
as much as they should
have done. We make sure
we turn up when we say
we will, do the job the
customer requires and
leave their house as clean
as a whistle. I often get
comments back from
customers on how they
really didn’t expect that
sort of service which,
in a way, is very sad for
the service industry as a
whole.’
Cloudy2Clear service
the Mansfield &
Chesterfield areas and
John is finding that his
approach is a major factor

in his success.‘The truth
is that it’s not just the
personal satisfaction that
I get from doing a good
job but also it makes good
business sense. I get a
huge amount of business
from friends and family of
people I’ve done work for,

which just goes to show
how much a little bit of
effort is appreciated.’
So, if your windows
are steamed up, broken
or damaged give John a
call for a free quotation on
0800 61 21 118 and he’ll
be happy to help!

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING?
Don’t replace the Frames... just the Panes!

So... February already. Hopefully
some of you are still keeping to your
new years resolutions, but for the rest
of you, like me who have fallen by the
wayside, don’t worry about it. There is
always next year.
It has certainly been a wet start to
2014. Let’s hope that we start to see
some Spring-like improvement soon.
Have a great month.
Spotlight magazine is delivered to
6,000 homes and businesses in the
Mansfield South area each month,
with similar magazines going to
North Mansfield and West Bridgford.
To Advertise or contribute:
T:
01623 706570
E: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk
Web:www.spotlightlocal.co.uk

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pinion is a divided even
O
among members of the
dental profession about the
usefulness of mouthwash.

Gum disease begins with
plaque. This is a film of very
sticky bacteria on the teeth
which, if not removed, causes
gum disease. Because it is
so sticky plaque can only be removed
from teeth with a brush or dental floss.
Mouthwash can never replace good
brushing.
A study in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry
this year found antiseptic mouthwash used
twice a day reduced the build-up of plaque
and gum disease over a six month period.
Mouthwash makes teeth ‘more slippy’ so
the sticky plaque finds it difficult to adhere,
which in turn means your mouth feels
fresher for longer.
Bad breath (halitosis) is caused when
excess bacteria emit excess gas. Pockets
of bacteria can lurk around fillings, ill-fitting

6

crowns and impacted wisdom
teeth. Halitosis requires treatment
from a dentist or hygienist but a
mouthwash can help. Use one
with ingredients such as chlorine
dioxide, which kills the volatile
sulphur compounds that cause
foul odour.

Many mouth washes contain
alcohol, which has been linked to oral
cancers in some studies. Alcohol can
exacerbate bad breath because of its
drying properties, and because it is quite
harsh it may also cause stinging. Most
dentists and hygienists agree that if you
use mouthwash it should be alcohol-free.
Finally, most of us don’t hold mouthwash in
our mouths long enough for it to work. The
optimal time is 30-60 seconds.
As part of a good dental hygiene routine
mouthwashes are helpful but they will
never replace the mechanical action of a
toothbrush and floss for getting teeth and
gums really clean.

The Chic, the Affordable
and the Classic.
new year means a fresh
A
start and of course, New
Year’s resolutions. For some,

it’s to stop smoking. For
others, it’s to lose a few extra
pounds or start a healthier
lifestyle. Though we all try our
best to make a change for
the better, it’s not easy. The
January blues usually send all
good intentions to the back of our minds as
we go back to the normal routine after the
buzz of Christmas.
For any of you looking to shift a few postChristmas pounds, it can be really tough.
If you’re still on track, well done! If you’re
starting to flounder a little or you’re finding
the gym just too unappealing, I have the
answer for you. Get in shape whilst looking
good with stylish fitness wear. Investing in
some chic workout clothes may just give
you the boost you need to spur you on to a
healthier life.
There are several designer and high street
brands offering trendy fitness ranges,
helping you to look and feel good whilst
exercising. One of the most famous of
these stores is Sweaty Betty. Everything in
their shops is geared towards stylish fitness
so they really know what they’re doing.
The advantage of Sweaty Betty is that
they have a great range of designs, with
specialised clothes for lots of different
sports and activities. They also have
a section on their website providing
information
about what is best
to
wear - from yoga to
skiing and tennis
to swimming –
ensuring you’re
in the know
and that
you’ll

be looking your best.
With a store right
in Nottingham city
centre, it’s easily
accessible too.
Having said all that, it
is a little on the pricey
side.

This is to be expected
really as it’s a
specialist store selling
an exclusive brand. If you’re serious about
making exercise a regular part of your life
then Sweaty Betty is probably your best
bet.
However, if you’re looking for a more
affordable option, try somewhere like
Sports Direct. Although they don’t
have such a wide range of fashionable
sportswear, they still have a fairly decent
selection and it’s all very reasonably
priced. They stock a lot of different brands
allowing you a good choice of styles and
colours.
Their sales are also particularly good as
they have huge reductions, meaning you
can get fitness basics for fantastic prices.
My favourite thing about Sports Direct is
their shoe department; they have trainers in
every style and colour that you could ever
possibly want! Though who really needs an
excuse to buy another pair of shoes?
If neither of these have quite what you’re
looking for, you could try Lacoste. Their
famous little crocodile logo has been
around for years, adding a sporty flourish
to everything they emblazon. The classic
nature of their designs means they will last
you for many years to come so can be a
worthy investment.
Wherever you decide to purchase your
stylish sportswear from, just remember –
have fun getting fit and enjoy the healthier
new you!
RhiannonChown
r_chown@yahoo.co.uk

8

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Spotlight Magazine

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9

Spotlight Magazine

Gardens For Play

y February Christmas can seem like a
B
distant memory: toys and games which
were desired for months beforehand, are
now no longer new.

I’m sure I’m not alone in remembering
how the excitement of a new toy soon
faded, but for me the big box in which it
was wrapped provided entertainment for
a much greater length of time because it
could be turned into a car, a bus, a den or
a robot.
Recently I was asked to apply this theory
when designing a family garden: a fun
outdoor space, with no obvious pieces
of play equipment such as a big blue
climbing frame; a bright red slide, or a
plastic swing. Instead fun is designed
into the garden space much more subtly,
the key being to introduce elements
which children can ‘accidentally’ find, and
which stimulate thought and exercise their
creative minds.
Children love pretending, and creative play
can include play sand, water and of course
mud (surely you must have made mud pies
or sloppy dosh when you were a child – for
those who didn’t its mud and water mixed
in a bucket or bowl with a stick then left to
harden in the sun).
Elements such as a mud kitchen, logs to
jump off and a tree to climb are all much
more fun (and cheaper) than modern play
equipment. I love to see a garden which
on first inspection looks like an adult space,
but has elements for initiating play.

Parents also often ask about child-friendly
plants, and it’s a tricky question to provide
a quick answer for. There are basically two
ways in which children could be adversely
affected by garden plants: ingestion, or
contact. The majority of ornamental plants,
roots, seeds and berries range from slightly
to very toxic, but statistically (research
shows) that the number of deaths is tiny.
The vast majority taste so disgusting that
your child probably would spit most of it
out, and if poisonous then vomiting would
most likely occur because it is the body’s
natural defence mechanism (apple pips
must surely be the most commonly eaten
poisonous seeds!).
Foxgloves, fungi and Delphinium seeds
are the most commonly known plant
poisons, but others less well known
include Daffodils, which are planted in
most gardens and public places without a
second thought. The leaves of Rhubarb,
green parts on tomatoes and potatoes
are all harmful, but we still grow them in
schools.
I think garden education at a young age is
the key, and given most under 3’s won’t be
outside alone in the garden it shouldn’t be
a problem … anyway, they’ll be too busy
playing to eat the plants!
Happy (and safe) gardening
Lee
www.InspiredGardenDesign.co.uk

Stepping stones
through a border; a
self contained water
feature; bark areas
under trees for den
making; grass mounds
for climbing up and
rolling back down;
paths to race bikes
on; washing line poles
to climb, and a small
bridge to cross when
escaping from trolls…
the usual thing!

10

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Spotlight Magazine

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11

Spotlight Magazine

Is Our Skin Dirtier Than Ever?

odern life is just rife with irony. Today,
M
we keep our breath fresh with strips
that dissolve on the tongue, we deodorise

several parts of our bodies and we ward
off gems with antibacterial gels. Yet – and
here’s the irony – most of us are walking
through the world with dirty skin. Truly dirty.
Why is skin so dirty?
Research conducted at The International
Dermal Institute reflects that most women
only spend about 20 seconds washing
their face, which is odd considering how
much time they spend on their hair and
make-up in the morning.
Simply, 20 seconds are not enough to get
skin clean. And remember that our skin is
actually “dirtier” than it was in our mothers’
and grandmothers’ times.
More recently, we are seeing that the
presence of environmental pollutants in the
air and cosmetics, such as sunblock and
waterproof make-up, combine daily with
the skin’s naturally sticky sebum secretions
to form a thick, slick, waxy coating on the
skin by the middle of the day.

Understandably, a splash of water and
20 seconds of cleansing can’t penetrate
this layer of oil-based debris that coats
the skin’s surface. In fact, even a more
thorough cleansing with a surfactant-based
cleanser won’t fully melt down this barrier.
The sebum/pollutant/cosmetic barrier
remains on the skin, preventing
moisturisers and other skin care products
from doing their work while dulling the
skin’s appearance and contributing to
congestion.
E-mail the salon at studio@alexsa.co.uk
or call 01623 439394 to request your free
Dermalogica samples to save you from
dirty skin!
Jenny Dunville

plinters are painful and tricky to remove.
S
I remember my mother digging around
in the tender ball of my thumb with a
darning needle one evening when I was
ten. The splinter on that occasion had
lodged itself firmly and
resisted all attempts to
prise it out while I resisted
all attempts to have it
prised out!
Years later a friend training
to be nurse taught me
how to remove splinters
safely and I pass on the
knowledge here.

First clean the area with soap and water.
Inspect the splinter; use a magnifying glass
if you have one. Look at the angle of entry
and how deeply embedded the splinter is.
If the splinter protrudes from the skin it’s
can be removed with tweezers. Sterilise
the tweezers first using surgical spirit
(neat Vodka also works) and if you need a
magnifier get someone else to hold it; then

18

grip the splinter gently and pull it out along
the same angle it entered the skin.
Small, fine splinters can be trickier,
especially if they are more deeply
embedded. In this instance
cover the affected the area
with Magnesium Sulphate
paste (cheap and available
from all pharmacies) and
then bandage it.
Leave over night and in
the morning the splinter
will have surfaced. If
it hasn’t, reapply and
bandage again. The Magnesium sulphate
is anhydrous and draws moisture out of the
wound and with it the splinter. Once the
end of the splinter pokes out you can use
tweezers to remove it completely.
Remember:
If you use a needle to break the skin prior
to applying the paste make sure the needle
is sterile.

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Spotlight Magazine

The face to face insurance specialists.

Is your home insured
properly against

Subsidence?
Many people living in ex-mining communities, like this one,
aren’t aware that their current home insurance policy
may not pay out for a subsidence claim...
until they need it.

www.parkhall.co.uk
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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19

Spotlight Magazine

Valentine’s All Year Round

Valentine’s Day is all about
being ‘in love’ isn’t it? But what
does ‘being in love’ really
mean? Is it just about the
flowers, chocolate or perfume?

To me, being in love is all about
appreciating and noticing
my partner. In the first throws
of a romance it’s easy: you
appreciate the way it feels
when he takes your hand; the
way she laughs or cries at daft films; the
way he pokes his tongue out when he
concentrates. You notice the little things
and find them endearing.
Over time sadly our focus shifts more to the
things which irritate us, such as the way we
have to ask him to take his muddy shoes
off in the house at least three times before
he does it, or the way she spends so much
money on clothes and beauty products.
When we focus on the negatives the
positives get lost. Worse, we only
appreciate our partner when they produce

20

a big gift, or an extravagant
display of affection, mainly
because it’s something out
of the ordinary so it shakes
us out of our apathy. Florists,
jewellers and gift-card suppliers
capitalise on this.

I am not advocating a
Valentine’s Day without cards
and flowers, (mainly because
I like receiving them), but this
year make a list of all the little things you
love about your husband, wife or partner
as well. Then every day tell them one or
two small things you really appreciate
about them. Yes it takes effort, but it will
help them feel loved every day, not just on
Valentine’s Day.
The poet Victor Hugo said that ‘The
greatest happiness of life is the conviction
that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or
rather, loved in spite of ourselves.’ That
surely has to be the best Valentine gift you
can give anyone this year.
By Sarah Davey

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Spotlight Magazine

Ashlands is a family run Care Home where excellence of care is the standard.
With half an acre of pretty gardens backing on to woodlands, our residents
have the space for quiet reflection while being close to local amenities. The
two South facing sitting rooms and large sunroom all have full length
windows and, along with the dining room, all overlook the rear garden.
• Our care manager has 25 years care experience and leads a team of highly trained staff
• Capacity for 30 residents, both for old age and dementia
• The majority of our rooms have en-suite WC facilities
• Long and short stay, respite and day care available
• Full-time activities co-ordinator, music, entertainment and regular outings
• Hair dressing, Chiropody and motivation therapy
• Award winning gardens giving a safe and quiet area to relax
• In-house cooks producing a varied range of freshly made meals, with special diets catered for
• Second floor accessed by lift, with wheelchair access throughout
• TV and phone available for every room
• All rooms have Nurse call points and are decorated and furnished to a high standard
• Close to local shops and public transport
• Registered with the CQC and Nottinghamshire County Council

We welcome visits at any time to come and meet the staff and residents
and have a tour of the grounds and facilities.

From 7- 23 February, we will be gripped
with Olympic fever once again as the
2014 Winter Olympics take place in Sochi,
Russia. Thousands of competitors will don
their thermals to take part in 15 different
winter sports.
If you’ve ever fancied having a go yourself,
the variety of resorts and activities now
available means that there’s never been a
better time to start.
Skiing has been a favourite winter sport for
many years, but snowboarding is rapidly
gaining in popularity. Which is best for the
beginner? It’s easier to get started with
skiing, but it will take you longer to get to
a high standard. With snowboarding, you
need a lot of practice to stay balanced and
link your turns together, but once you’ve
mastered that, you’re away.
Planning your holiday requires careful
research. Depending on how far you want
to travel, it is possible to ski all year round.
The season in Europe and North America
runs from December to March/April,
depending on the altitude of the resort. If
you want to ski during the summer, you
should head for the highest Alpine or
American peaks, or Southern Hemisphere
locations like Argentina, Chile, Australia or
New Zealand.

which can be taken either in a group or
individually.
Don’t forget to check out the other activities
on offer – both on and off the slopes.
For example, you could try night skiing,
bobsleigh, ice climbing, dog sledding or
snowmobiling. And of course there’s the
après ski – make sure there are plenty of
restaurants and bars if this is an important
part of your holiday.
Your choice of accommodation can have
a big effect on the price of your holiday.
Options include luxurious hotels, B&Bs,
chalets, apartments, and low-budget
hostels.
Another cost to consider is your clothing
and equipment. You will need a base-layer,
mid-layer, jacket, gloves, goggles and
helmet. Unless you are a frequent skier, it
makes sense to hire your boots and skis/
board. That way you don’t need to worry
about transporting, damaging or losing
expensive kit.
And finally, remember that if you’re
desperate to ski and funds are tight, there
are several indoor snow centres and dry
ski slopes around the UK. So everyone can
share the Olympic spirit!
By Alex Albrighton

Look at a range of resorts and
compare their facilities. You’ll
need to consider the ability level
of everyone in your party and
make sure that there are ski runs
to match. This is particularly
important if you are travelling with
children. Some resorts provide a
ski-school for children as young
as two, otherwise you may want to
investigate childcare options.
If you’ve never skied before, you
will need to organise lessons,

recent survey by Age UK Notts
A
shows that people who have help
at home with everyday tasks such as

cleaning, shopping and laundry feel
their quality of life has been improved.
The charity found that by offering a
helping hand they enabled people to
spend more time with their loved ones
and doing things that enjoy. Equally many
older people find they are no longer able
to complete these tasks to the best of their
ability.
With this in mind, the charity has launched
a Home Help service to offer relief to older
people who need a little help around the
house. For an hourly charge a Home Help
can assist with everyday tasks including
cleaning, shopping, laundry, ironing, light
meal preparation and carers’ sitting.
Just like thousands of people throughout
the country, Robert is the sole carer for his
spouse. He and his wife, Mary, have been
married for over seventy years, thirty years
of which Robert has been caring for her full
time. Robert’s caring responsibilities mean

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that he doesn’t have the capacity to
do everyday jobs such as cleaning
and shopping. His limited time to
complete routine tasks started to have
a negative impact on their quality of
life.

Following a recommendation from a
friend, Robert decided to get in touch with
the cleaning and shopping services of Age
UK Notts. Robert and Mary are now visited a
couple of times a week by a Home Help who
assists them to clean their house and do their
shopping. Robert is now able to spend more
time caring for and being with Mary and less
time worrying about everyday tasks.
Robert and Mary not only personally
benefitted but their custom has also had a
wider positive impact as any surplus from
the Home Help service go towards helping
vulnerable older people in Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire.
For more information, please call our Home
Support team on 0115 952 5331 or 01623
488 218.
Find us on

et’s face it, puppies are little bundles of
L
gorgeousness and when choosing one
it’s easy to get carried away, but don’t. It

is important to think very carefully about
whether that puppy (or indeed any puppy)
is a good choice. But let’s assume for now
that you’ve decided you really do have
room in your life for a dog.
The first step is to research which breed or
type of mongrel suits your circumstances,
and also the dog’s size and nature.
Have you got room for a puppy that will
grow into a large dog? How much time do
you have to exercise a dog? Do you have
children, or any other pets that it must be
compatible with?
In addition to the purchase cost, what
ongoing costs must you consider e.g. food
and vet bills; a large dog will eat much
more than a small one, and some breeds
are prone to medical problems which may
be expensive to treat. Consider the dogs
coat if shedding hair might be an issue.
Would a dog or a bitch be a better choice?
Male dogs can be more dominant and
headstrong; with females, you will need
to consider how you will cope when she
comes into season.
Terriers are lively dogs that need lots of
exercise for their size and can be tricky
to train, but they are generally good with
children.
Toy dogs seem particularly prone to
becoming snappy if they are anxious,
which they may be around boisterous
children.

from an experienced breeder who can give
you lots of information and allow you to
meet the parents.
As I mentioned earlier, some breeds have
potential ‘inherited diseases’ or known
health issues in later life, so ask about this
if you want to avoid hefty vet bills.
Crossbreeds can be cheaper to buy; they
can even be free, but if you can’t see both
parents you may get a surprise when it
grows much larger than you expected.
There are currently some very fashionable
cross breeds such as the Labradoodle - a
Labrador / poodle cross, or a Cockerpoo –
a cocker spaniel / poodle cross. These can
combine the best features of each breed.

Border Collies for instance, can become
stressed if they are not active and given
lots of attention. Gun dogs are easy to train
and settle well into most houses.

Resist buying a puppy that is left on its own
and appears withdrawn, as it may have
or develop personality issues. You should
choose a lively, alert puppy in good health.
To give your puppy a good start in its new
home, try not to have too many people
around when it arrives. Be relaxed and
allow your puppy to sniff around. Offer
it food and water although you may find
it refuses for a while. Try to establish a
routine.

If you choose a pedigree dog, you will
know exactly how large your pup will grow
and what it will look like. You should buy

Once settled in, you can look forward to
your puppy being a loving companion for
many years.

Hounds need lots of exercise, and breeds
that have a working history need plenty of
mental stimulation so that they don’t get in
to mischief.

Professional, Friendly Help & Advice with
All Services Fully Guaranteed

At City Signs, we employ expert designers, experienced
manufacturers and skilled installers, who will be happy
to create you an outstanding piece of signage, that
will set your business apart from the competition.

he first fitted carpet my parents
ever owned was medium brown
in colour with a deep, textured pile,
and it hid a multitude of sins. Grit
and dirt from my dad’s work boots,
food spills from us kids and the
occasional accident by the pet dog
were all cleverly concealed.
During the 20 years or so it was
down it never once required
professional cleaning – or so we
thought!

Years later when I owned a carpet
cleaning business, I learned about
the dangers lurking beneath a carpet’s
surface and discovered that far from being
the creature comfort we thought it was, our
deeply piled, deeply loved first carpet was
something of a death trap (well, almost!).
The majority of households in the UK only
call in the professionals in response to
some kind of incident – they’re having
visitors so need to spruce things up a
bit, or they’ve had a party and one of
their guests has spilled red wine. PostChristmas you may even find yourself in
one of these categories! But sit comfortably
whilst I share a few shocking facts that may
keep you awake at night, and prompt you
into incorporating regular carpet cleaning
into your plans and budget!
FACT ONE An average-sized living room
carpet can hold its own weight in trapped
soil - around 150 lbs.
FACT TWO About 85% of the dirt a carpet
holds is hidden under the surface, buried
deep in the pile.
FACT THREE This hidden dirt wears
away at the carpet fibres and reduces the
carpet’s life dramatically.
FACT FOUR A dirty carpet can harbour
harmful mites and bacteria that can trigger
asthma and cause allergic reactions.

28

FACT FIVE The best way to remove deeply
embedded dirt and the bacteria that lives
in it is to have your carpets professionally
cleaned.
FACT SIX Research suggests that you
should have your carpets cleaned every
12-18 months to remove unhealthy
elements.
There are a number of effective cleaning
methods around, including steam,
shampoo and chemical, but the most
important consideration is whether the
technician doing the work is properly
trained and qualified.
When booking your clean, check about
credentials, insurance, what the clean
includes (will they move and replace
furniture for example?) and ask to see
customer testimonials.
By having your carpets cleaned regularly,
you will not only help to increase their life
expectancy (a welcome prospect in these
days of austerity) but you will also be
helping to improve the quality of your own
life, especially if you are one of the nation’s
army of asthma or allergy sufferers.
For more information visit the National
Carpet Cleaners Association website
at www.ncca.co.uk, or call Red Carpet
Treatment on Freephone 08000 345 534
and get a free quote today.

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